Ghana: Stop Aids Love Life - The Compassion Phase

• Overview
• Objectives
• Target Audience
• Activities
• Outputs
• Impact

Overview

Before 1999, HIV/AIDS in Ghana had not been addressed definitively. The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) of the Ghana Ministry of Health in its 1999 sentinel surveillance estimated that everyday during that year, over 200 Ghanaians became infected with the HIV virus. The nationwide prevalence was estimated to be 4.6%, which meant that at least 400,000 people were infected. It was speculated that this figure would double in approximately five years if those trends continued. As is usually the case, the age group most affected was the 15-24 age group. The Ghanaian government awoke to the realization that this was a most opportune time to intervene in order to avoid the massive devastation that has occurred in East and Southern Africa. In the spirit of this renewed commitment to curb the problem of HIV/AIDS, and in recognition of the prominent role played by behavior change communication (BCC) in all prevention efforts, the Ghana "Stop AIDS-Love Life" campaign was developed. Phase I of the campaign, termed "Shattering the Silence" was based on the concept that increased knowledge about HIV and its modes of transmission, as well as increased personal risk perception would bring about a positive change in attitudes and behavior, by encouraging frank dialogue and promoting the adoption of protective/ preventive behaviors. Phase II "Caring Communities" of the campaign was launched around March/April 2001. The overarching goal of this phase was to create a compassionate and supportive community response to those affected by HIV/AIDS, while at the same time, constantly reinforcing the ABC prevention message of Phase I. Alliances were formed with prominent community leaders, who served as advocates for compassion and empathy.

Love Life Phase 3 began in the last quarter of 2001. There was extensive collaboration between the Christian Council (CC) of Ghana and the JHU/PCS. The role of the CC was to serve as advocate and intermediary between other religious bodies and the JHU/PCS. The basic concepts of compassion are:

• It is a key to mobilizing religious groups;
• It is a central tenet & avoids controversy;
• "everyone is capable of being compassionate";
• It creates momentum for positive messages; and
• It re-enforces prevention; strengthens care and support.

Objectives

The objectives of all the phases of the campaign were reached through analyzing data from the Ghana Youth Survey, 1998, The Ghana Psychographics Survey, 1997 and The Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, 1998. The objectives specific to Phase 3 are:

• Increase % of congregations with well-defined and active response
• Increase % of PLWHA's who experience a compassionate response
• Reduce % of people with misperceptions of how HIV is transmitted

Or, in other words, to create a compassionate and supportive societal response to those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS to give them hope.

Target Audience

Religious hierarchy; clergy, imams and lay leaders; congregations and communities

Activities

• Training sessions for Clergy, Imams and Lay Leaders
• Development of curriculum and activity packets for Clergy, Imams and lay leaders
• Production of print and promotional materials for Clergy, Imams and Lay leaders and congregations-brochures, posters, T-shirts
• Testimonials with PLWHAs focused on human tragedy/social sanction issues, testimonials and profiles of those already practicing compassionate responses.
• TV and radio spots with religious leaders speaking out on the issue with a unified voice/emotional appeal to congregations.

Outputs

• Development of & signing of communique declaring commitment to Compassion Campaign by religious leaders
• Advocacy workshops included the participation of 23 Christian Leaders from 4 major groups: Protestant, Catholic, Charismatic and Pentecostal and 25 Muslim Leaders from 4 major groups including Ahmaddiya and Tijani.
• Religious leaders' interactions with PLWHAs
• 'Reach Out' song produced. It features 20 Christian and Muslim gospel singers who contributed their efforts for free.
• Master Training completed in Oct 2002 - 12 leaders from 6 Christian denominations.
• 30 Trainings conducted for 900 participants from January - June 2003.
• Compassion Kit developed provides activity and reference materials for trainees. Topics include : Stigma & Discrimination of PLWHA's ; Definition of Compassion; Indicators for Compassion and Establishing a Compassionate Congregation.

Impact

Process monitoring is underway. The program expects to measure the following indicators:

• # of sermons on compassion towards PLWHAs and their families
• # of congregations with active response
• # of committees formed on HIV/AIDS issues
• # of congregations with a clear policy on HIV/AIDS issues

A mid training assessment was conducted in Feb/March 2003 and results are being analyzed. Further, a formal evaluation of the program will be conducted from congregation-based surveys :

• # of people aware of compassionate church policy towards PLWHAs
• # of people who participated in compassionate church based activities towards PLWHAs (home visits, & HBC)
• # of people with reduced stigma towards PLWHAs (less moral judgment)

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